Rev. Ronald David Marcy

Rev. Ronald (“Ron”) David Marcy, age 87, of Wakefield, Rhode Island, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024, after several years of coping courageously with Parkinson’s Disease. He was the beloved husband of Judith (Klein) Marcy for over 60 years. Born in Ware, Massachusetts and raised in Palmer, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Helen and Kenneth Marcy. In addition to his wife, Ron is survived by two children, Glenn Lawrence Blumberg and Suzanne Lynn Marcy, a sister, Joan Allen, and two nephews, Mark, and David Allen. Ron’s only grandchild, Emily Rose Blumberg, predeceased him in 2021. Ron graduated magna cum laude from every school he attended. He received his B.A. degree with honors from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH, where he was recognized with numerous awards in public speaking and debating and given 7 varsity awards in track and cross country. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa, he pursued ministerial training at the Theological School, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY where he received an M.A. degree. Ron was officially ordained under the authority of the Central Fellowship Committee, Universalist Church of America, St. Paul’s Universalist Church on June 21, 1961. Ron’s 41-year ministry took him to churches in New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, and New Hampshire. Wherever he was called, he served on a variety of denominational committees and was active in community organizations such as Legal Aide, the Head Start Program, UNICEF, local fire departments and the Middletown, NY Food Foundation Grant Committee. Ron was a member of the Jaycees and the Lions Club. He also proudly marched in Selma, Alabama with a group of other UU ministers. When Ron and his wife retired in 2002, they moved to Wakefield, RI and became members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County. Ron served there as Treasurer for a number of years. Along with his busy ministerial career, Ron was a passionate devotee of chess and bridge. His brilliant problem-solving abilities enabled him to become an outstanding player of both games. Perhaps his most favorite activity was sailing the coastline near Kingston, Duxbury and Plymouth, MA. He and his wife owned a special 17’ sailboat that they affectionately called “Sloopy Sails.” Retiring to Rhode Island gave Ron and Judi a chance to remain close to the ocean, an immense pleasure for both. Throughout their marriage, Ron and Judi enjoyed traveling. Their most memorable trips were to France, England, and Belgium, as well as many interesting visits in the United States. Ron was a lover of animals especially cats and dogs. Delightfully humorous conflicts inevitably occurred when one of the family cats was found resting on his laptop keyboard or snoozing in his favorite recliner. These “battles” were fun to observe, and Ron’s wonderful sense of humor was a source of great amusement. Despite Ron’s impressive intellectual capacity, he savored many of the simple things in life. Reminiscing about his childhood, taking frequent long walks and thoroughly enjoying a good meal with dessert (such as blueberry buckle or tiramisu) were among his favorites. He was an engaging conversationalist and always congenial. Ron’s ashes will be laid to rest by his family this Spring in his beloved Palmer, Massachusetts. Donations in his memory can be made to: The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, 27 North Road, Peace Dale, RI 02879 for a Memorial Leaf in his honor for its Tree of Life, or The Warm Center, 56 Spruce Street, Westerly, RI 02891, or The Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, 61 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879.